Drug bust defendants face amended charges

Woman released to take care of her children

Five adults arrested June 19 in Ruidoso Downs as the result of police raids on two adjacent mobile homes went to preliminary hearings Tuesday in Magistrate Court in Carrizozo.

Sheriff Robert Shepperd had previously said the two households were not linked but separate sources of drug sales.

All five defendants will continue proceedings in District Court because they face felony charges. Four of the five have amended charges against them as they move forward through the court system.

One of the defendants, Tiffany Phillips, 26, was released to her mother who was present in the courtroom along with Phillips's three small children.

Bobby McMillan

Defense attorney Duncan Bradley told Magistrate Judge Mickie Vega Phillips is a low flight risk and needs to continue working at her Ruidoso job to support her family. The judge allowed Phillips' mother to take on the role of third-party custodian for her daughter. A third-party custodian shoulders the responsibility of making sure the defendant does what she needs to do and goes to court when she needs to.

Defense attorneys requested similar release conditions for the other defendants but all were determined to be flight risks.

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Charges filed on the defendants: Phillips is charged with distribution of marijuana or possession of marijuana more than eight ounces, a fourth-degree felony; conspiracy to commit trafficking controlled substances — methamphetamine, a third-degree felony; conspiracy to commit trafficking controlled substances — heroin, a third-degree felony; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Saiben Gabaldon

Zane Reed, 19, and Saiben Gabaldon, 21, are charged with distribution of marijuana or possession of marijuana more than eight ounces; conspiracy to commit trafficking controlled substances — methamphetamine; conspiracy to commit trafficking controlled substances — heroin; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a fourth-degree felony.

Anthony Morales, 22, faces charges of distribution of marijuana or possession of marijuana more than eight ounces; conspiracy to commit trafficking controlled substances — methamphetamine; conspiracy to commit trafficking controlled substances — heroin; contributing to the delinquency of a minor; possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine); and two counts of receiving stolen property (firearm), both fourth-degree felonies.

Tiffany Phillips

At the other house, Bobby "Sam" McMillan, 27, was arrested on charges of trafficking controlled substance (heroin), abuse of a child (place in a dangerous situation), a fourth-degree felony, and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

"I would urge the public, if they have information regarding alleged drug activity to contact the sheriff's office, the Ruidoso Police Department, the Ruidoso Downs Police Department or Crimestoppers," Shepperd said.